Rapid Brainstem Infiltration of a Cerebellar Glioblastoma.

A 79-year-old female complained of a one-month history of imbalance and headache. Brain MRI showed an irregular rim enhancing solid and cystic mass centered in the superomedial left cerebellar hemisphere. Resection of the lesion was recommended; however, the patient opted to undergo the procedure the following month because of the nearby Christmas holidays.

Negative Cultures for Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples taken from the Myelomeningocele Sac on the Day of Repair.

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the intraoperative laboratory analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aspirated from the myelomeningocele (MMC) sac prior to the repair to determine if there was bacterial growth in the culture.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the CSF cultures of 45 MMC patients operated on during the years of 2002 to 2013 at the University Pediatric Hospital. Before repairing the defect, the sac area was cleaned and three milliliters of CSF were drawn and sent for analysis for red blood cells, white blood cells, glucose level, protein level, chloride level, gram stain and culture.

Risk Factors for Developing Hydrocephalus in Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage.

Objective: More than 50% of the premature infant survivors of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) develop serious neurological sequelae, including progressive posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PPHH) requiring a ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt. Little is known about the risk factors associated with the development of PPHH in the neonatal population of Puerto Rico and thus the purpose of this study was to learn more about those risk factors.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on neonates born from 2013 through 2017 who had been diagnosed with IVH.

Efficacy of Hydromer-Coated and Antibiotic- Impregnated Shunt Systems in Reducing Early Shunt Infections in the Pediatric Population.

Objective: Shunt infection is the most common complication following a Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure with devastating consequences. This study analyzes the efficacy of different shunt systems in reducing early shunt infections in the pediatric population.

Methods: Retrospective case study analysis of 177 pediatric patients with hydrocephalus de novo shunted using hydromer-coated (HC) shunt systems, antibiotic-impregnated (AI) shunt systems and standard non impregnated shunt systems was performed and compared for the incidence of shunt infection in the early postoperative period.

Circumferential Stabilization of the Thoracolumbar Junction Via Posterior-Only Approach for the Management of Burst Fractures.

Objective: The management of thoracolumbar burst fractures often includes combined anterior/posterior approaches with prolonged operative time and complications. The transpedicular approach offers a posterior only approach with circumferential reconstruction and decompression. We aim to present the experience of a single center in the management of thoracolumbar burst fractures using a posterior-only approach for circumferential stabilization and report on this technique's effectiveness in restoring the alignment of the thoracolumbar junction.

Pediatric brain tumors in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To determine the frequency of pediatric brain tumors treated at the University Pediatric Hospital of Puerto Rico over a 6-year period and examine the demographic data and tumor histology of patients in different age groups.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken at the University Pediatric Hospital. We included patients with brain tumors that had been newly diagnosed during the period covering from January 2002 to December 2007.

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma in unusual location in a child with neurofibromatosis type 1: case report and review of the literature.

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a recently defined brain tumor believed to be a variant of pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), but with a more aggressive course. Most PMAs occur in the optic-chiasmatic/hypothalamic (OCH) region but they have also been described in the posterior fossa, temporal lobe, and in the spinal cord. We report a girl with history of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) who presented with a PMA located in the left lateral ventricle.